At first yesterday it was hard to guess whether this was a true unannounced category change or perhaps some short-lived ‘oops’ award pricing, so my recommendation was to book quickly. I followed my own advice and rebooked a five night planned trip we have to the resort in 2018, thus saving us a whopping 32,000 SPG points! Our per night price dropped to just 9,600 points per night since the 5th award night is free with SPG. There will still be the $60 per night resort fee, but since paid rates during our visit of year are $500+ for night, I will gladly pay 9,600 SPG points + $60 to stay on the beach in Grand Cayman!

Perhaps the renovations and some less than stellar reviews during that time played into paid and award rates dropping a bit temporarily. I don’t know for sure, but even with that said, I would not wait any longer than necessary to book the hotel on SPG points in case they change their minds again.

If you time it correctly, getting to stay in a newly renovated hotel after construction is complete is a great thing – especially if the hotel really did just drop categories. If you want to get a detailed video peek at the completed renovations you can check out their Facebook videos here – select the “Jet Skis and Drones” video and start at the 3:30 mark to see the lobby and pool area.

As for the guest rooms…it looks like they are indeed ready for a renovation, and I’m glad our stay isn’t until they are scheduled to be completed. Here is roughly what the rooms look like now via their website. Reminds me of our pre-renovation stay at the Westin St. John…

I can’t wait to try out Grand Cayman and The Westin Grand Cayman for 9,600 SPG points per night on a five night award stay, and I hope it hangs around as a Category 5 property for many months to come! Who else is now headed to this property for less?!

Editorial Note: The opinions expressed here are mine and not provided, reviewed, by any bank, card issuer, or other company unless otherwise stated.

Pingbacks

[…] Details on Westin Grand Cayman Renovations and Award Pricing. – I’m hoping to stay at the Westin when Timmy and I visit Grand Cayman for his spring break. The pictures of the renovations turn the property from “nice” to “wow!” […]

Just booked for New Years 2017 for 5 nights! Just came back from Cayman with the girls (stayed at Comfort Suites using Choice reward points, points + cash, all resort fees included). Visited the Westin grounds and beach while I was there and it is beautiful! Hope the room upgrades are completed before my stay. Did not think that I would be able to swing this but I transferred some points from Amex to SPG. Thanks for your blog!

My wife and had been looking at this property for the last couple months, we were looking to go in January 2018. We didn’t have quite enough spg points to go for a week at 20,000 points/night, so we were considering Aruba or St. kitts. When I saw the new rates this morning, I called my wife at work and said we are going to Grand Cayman! Paid rates in January with taxes and resort fees can be over $800/night. Redeemed 72,000 points for 7 nights which comes out to about 8 cents per point! Never have gotten that much value for a hotel redemption on points.

I had been looking at an all inclusive in Cancun. After I saw this yesterday, I made a six night reservation in June. After the resort fee and taxes for 6 nights it still comes out to a little over $500 for a partial ocean/pool view room. I don’t think that is bad. I’m a little worried about the renovation now that I have read the article. Am I crazy to go during renovations? We definitely need a summer vacation so if I cancel this I am rebooking somewhere.

I booked mine by calling. These rooms were more points but worth it. I was not going there and stay in an island view room. I think it was 14,600 per night, 5 night free. This is still a very good deal.

I’m hoping to stay at the Westin when Timmy and I visit Grand Cayman for his spring break. The pictures of the renovations turn the property from “nice” to “wow!” Too bad we won’t be there in time to experience the new rooms.

Arlene, when I said it is less than 500 miles from Miami I meant it is literally less than 500 miles in terms of distance (meaning not far), not in terms of mileage redemption. You can get there for 7,500 British Airways Avios flying American from Miami – Grand Cayman. Not as good as 500 points, but not bad. 😉

Being a novice points collector I have only booked one trip which was roundtrip San Diego to Maui on Alaska using Avios. From what I have been reading on points blogs is how difficult it is to find award availability on American. In your opinion what would be the best way of getting to Grand Cayman from San Diego using our Avios? By the way we stayed at Hyatt Regency Maui and were upgraded to a corner ocean view room. What a fantastic experience and your review on the hotel and nearby restaurants was FANTASTIC. Can’t wait to go back!!

Staying at the Westin now. Certainly the renovations are nice but the service still sucks big time. 20 mins to get seated for breakfast even though restaurant empty. Rude staff who will not even reply to a greeting let alone make one. They have at least wised up to the fact that they need more than 12 beach umbrellas but they now have beach ambassadors who still reserve 50% of the umbrellas each day which sit empty while families with kids have to sit in the sun which is unforgivable. The wifi is much better. Avoid the ocean front rooms – the noise levels are too high. Actually avoid the Westin – much better choices on Island.

About Summer

Well, I am a married mom in my mid-30's. I have two rock star, adorable, beautiful, fantastic, mischievous, humorous, smarter-than-my-own-good girls. One is currently 7 going on 17 and the other is closing in on her 2nd birthday. I am obsessed with my adorable and insane kiddos, and also obsessed with earning and using airline and hotel points and miles to show them the world on a budget we can afford. Learn more about Summer

Advertiser Disclosure: Most of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which MommyPoints.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. This site has financial relationships with Chase, American Express, Citibank, Barclaycard, and US Bank. Please view our advertising policy page for more information.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author's alone and have not been reviewed or endorsed by any company or third party unless clearly stated otherwise.